We’re anticipating a busy 2017 at Eurometaux. Several EU policies will have fundamental impacts on the non-ferrous metals industry’s growth in Europe. We’ll be working hard with policymakers to make sure the metals industry’s voice gets heard.
Here are our five action areas for the year ahead:
1. Achieving an ambitious Circular Economy Package
MEPs and Member States continue to debate the European Commission’s Circular Economy Package.
We’re encouraging all parties to support ambitious measures for maximising the recycling of non-ferrous metals. Europe’s ‘urban mine’ is filled with metals which can be recycled again and again, keeping their value in the European economy.
In particular, we’re calling for a single methodology for Member States to measure their real recycling rates.
2. Retaining effective trade measures against Chinese dumping
The European Commission last year made a proposal to adapt EU anti-dumping rules covering imports from China and other WTO members.
Our industry needs effective anti-dumping measures to address China’s massive overcapacities in non-ferrous metals production. The jury is still out on whether the Commission’s proposal will provide the measures our companies need.
We’ll be working with Members of the European Parliament to scrutinise the proposal, and put forward any amendments needed to ensure free and fair trade.
3. Fixing indirect costs in the EU Emissions Trading System
In the next months, Member States should agree on the Council position on the post-2020 reform of Europe’s Emissions Trading System. In parallel, the European Parliament’s Plenary will also vote to ratify amendments from Environment and Industry Committees.
We’ll continue to push for an effective system to fully compensate “indirect costs” from the Emissions Trading System. Our most efficient companies need predictable compensation to stay globally competitive, so they can keep investing into best-in-class innovations.
4. Taking stock of EU chemicals management through REACH
The EU’s REACH Regulation is being formally reviewed in 2017, allowing us all to take stock after 10 years of EU chemicals management.
Last year we identified five key areas where the REACH Regulation can better identify and control risks from the manufacturing and use of hazardous substances and mixtures. We're now fine-tuning our recommendations ready to discuss with the European Commission and Member States across 2017.
5. Getting Conflict Minerals regulation right
EU institutions reached agreement on a new Conflict Minerals Regulation at the end of 2016. All EU importers of gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten will now have to fulfil mandatory due-diligence requirements, to prove their supply chains are conflict free.
In 2017, the Commission will define how the Regulation should actually be implemented.
Our companies are already largely conflict-free, after years of participation in accredited industry-led schemes. We’ll encourage the Commission to build on these efforts, rather than provide another layer of double-regulation.
Want to know more? Get in touch with us.